Short Kings Anthem

One

"And then it's just a simple case of climbing over the wall and to the finish line," Simon explained to the group which included the Sidemen apart from JJ who was training. There were the additions of Lauren, Theo and Chris as they were regular collaborators with the Sidemen and known for some of their sporting or fitness lifestyles they fitted in with the video theme of an assault course. Lauren leaned into Chris who was sitting next to her and whispered in his ear.

"Personally I think that last obstacle is discrimination against short people," Lauren complained in a half joking tone which caused Chris to nod in agreement as the pair smiled at each other united at being the two shortest people in the room.

"Any questions, especially from the two giggling school kids in the back?" Simon asked, directing his comments at Chris and Lauren the pair looked around the room confused at first until Simon spoke again. "Yes you two!" He then pointed at the pair,

"Us?" Chris asked surprised raising his eyebrows in shock.

"Care to share something with the group?" Simon asked gesturing his hands around the room smirking.

"No, just saying the wall is discriminating against people who are, slightly vertically challenged?" Lauren replied suddenly feeling nervous about talking in the room. She had no idea why she had this sudden bout of nerves, she had collabed with the majority of people in the room a few times and had socialised with them all outside of Youtube but she was feeling vulnerable in the moment and was also very aware she was the only female in the room.

"Your fault for being so short," Harry interjected, causing laughs around the room, Lauren just holds her hands up in defeat choosing to get him back at a later time, her brain not working as quick as it usually would today.

"Come in and help you out by doing a video and this is how you treat us," Chris argued, coming to their defence. While she was grateful for the sentiment she wanted the attention to be off her and just wanted to move on so she could chill at home.

"He's just getting his own back for you using him for humour content on your channel for years," Ethan clapped to Chris earning a chorus of oo's from the rest of the room.

"Then why is she here?" Chris asked, pointing to Lauren.

"Bhunda," Ethan replied and Lauren rolled her eyes knowing the answer was going to be something along those lines and not particularly caring for it.

"How you ever got a woman to procreate with you I'll never know," Lauren said to Ethan shaking her head. The UK Youtube scene was quite small and lots of people knew each other and collabs happened often, however it was highly male dominated and as one of the few non purely beauty/influencer youtubers she was often on other people's channels. This resulted in her being called a pick me by fans and she was also ribbed on from the guys about her femininity or her figure often. Although it was something that she was used to it did grate on her at times, particularly when she wasn't feeling her best like this particular day but on a good day she gave as good as she got.

"I'll ask again, any questions about the video? Chris, Lauren we will do some practice runs and if it looks like you're at a major disadvantage we'll see if we can adjust the rope to make it fairer for shortarses." An exacerbated Simon tried to get everyone's focus back to the original point. Lauren and Chris nodded in agreement deciding to not pick a fight about the last comment and let the meeting continue.

When the meeting ended people split off into groups and started chatting. Lauren however simply waves bye to people she passes and makes her way to the door to leave as she does she's stopped at the door by Harry who's chatting to Chris.

"Coming for a drink?" Harry asked Lauren, she shook her head no and placed her bag over her shoulder ready to leave.

"Not today," she replied fiddling with her curly auburn hair, a habit she had picked up from young and never seemed to grow out of.

"Why? You're not upset about me calling you short are you?" Asked Harry slightly panicking, he went to apologise but Lauren spoke before Harry could continue.

"Don't be silly, I've had way worse from you. I'm just not in the best mood today and don't feel like going out that's all." Lauren explained with a small smile, Harry nodded accepting the explanation, the blonde men's attention was then focused towards Ethan who had called Harry's name, leaving Lauren and Chris.

"Sure we can't tempt you?" Chris asked leaning against the door frame and crossing his arms. Lauren shook her head and gave out a small sigh.

"No I'm really not feeling it today,"

"Everything okay?" Chris asked a concerned look coming up over his face, Lauren nodded. She hesitated for a moment but decided to tell Chris what was going on, knowing out of everyone else in the room he would understand where she was coming from.

"Today's six years well it would have been our six year anniversary. I know if I go out I will get absolutely fucked and I can't trust drunk Lauren, she has made some very questionable decisions lately. Absolute shockers." She tried to laugh it off but it came across a little nervous, all she wanted was to go home.

"Ah yes that stage, I'm still half in it myself. I get you completely, you'll be missed though we'll catch up another time." Chris smiled sympathetically and Lauren nodded in agreement. There was a few moments of silence and Lauren was just about to go when Chris piped up again, "If you wanted to chat, just text me, I know it's a bit of a crappy situation." He said earnestly, having also gone through a recent break up so knew where she was coming from.

"Thanks, I'm going to go I'll see you at the shoot next week?" Lauren perked up a little in the hope she would be in a better mood.

"Bye." Chris waved slightly and watches Lauren walk away when Harry, Ethan and Calfreezy come back over to Chris.

"See, checking out the cake," Ethan's loud voice was followed by his even louder laugh.

"Fuck off Ethan," Chris whined leading the way to the pub hoping no one else would get another shot in, and he was in luck as no more was said.

Chris only intended to stay for a couple of drinks but as with most things associated with the Sidemen and alcohol things ended up being longer and more alcohol fuelled than intended. Some people had more to drink then others, Chris was on his third so had a good buzz going and was sitting on a stool watching Harry and Cal set up some beer pong. He played with his phone and decides to send Lauren a message

Hope you're okay, you're definitely missed. Harry is complaining he doesn't have his beer pong partner.

When Lauren read it she was lying in bed clutching a glass of wine, she smiled at the message and typed a response Thank you, tell him I'll make it up to him. She sighed as she placed her phone down sipping her wine. Chris stared at the message trying to think of something else to say but struggled to come up with something.

"Chris come on!" Ethan shouts from the beer pong table, the petit male got up from his stool and made his way over to the group watching the madness unfold as Harry sunk his first shot. Chris laughed and out of the corner of his eye he saw a couple at the bar with the male putting his arm around his girlfriend and kissing her on the head. Chris sighed and started to type on his phone again.

I meant what I said, if you need to chat or to blow off steam you know where to find me. He waited a while and after a couple of minutes got a response.

When I'm feeling better I might just take you up on that offer, thanks.